One area of biblical theology that I’ve been thinking more about lately is the relationship between the dominion mandate in Eden and the land promise given to Abraham. Brian Collins (Exegesis and Theology) has written a helpful series of posts interacting with Progressive Covenantalism, particularly on the themes of land and rest. While Collins critiques several of the specific proposals advanced by Progressive Covenantalist scholars—arguing that they require greater nuance (a concern I share)—he nevertheless acknowledges a genuine connection between the Abrahamic land promise and the Edenic dominion mandate.
In his post, Progressive Covenantalism and Land: Conclusion and Appeal, Collins writes:
“The central thesis of the Progressive Covenantalist view of the land, namely, that the land promise expands to encompass all of the new creation and all of the redeemed, is affirmed. This agreement rests on a shared belief that the material creation is significant in God’s redemptive plan. In addition, Progressive Covenantalists are correct in rooting the land theme in Eden. It is also correct to posit that the origins of this theme prior to the giving of the Abrahamic covenant point to a worldwide fulfillment of the theme in the new creation. Further, there is no disagreement with Progressive Covenantalists regarding the way the rest theme in Scripture points to the fulfilment of the land theme in the entire new creation.
These are points of genuine agreement, rather than concessions. My own thoughts on the land promise expanding to encompass the entire world developed in late 2010 and through 2011, prior to the publication of works by Progressive Covenantalists, as I worked through Scripture passages that speak of Israel possessing the nations and through a study on the theme of land in Joshua.”
Continue reading “The Abrahamic Land Promise in Light of the Edenic Dominion Mandate”
